Interview Vincent Mignot

#GlobeTrottrProfile

“I find the concept brilliant, that really facilitates us the task.”

What’s your name and where are you from?

Hi, my name is Vincent and I come from Caen, in France.

Why did you come to Vietnam?

I am student in 5th year in pharmacy, and we have to do an internship in compulsory hospital, and we had the opportunity to leave to Vietnam during the summer, rather than do it in France. According to French faculties, they are some countries which are authorized. In my faculty, which is a small one, we had 3 countries : Vietnam, Senegal and Morocco. We were 5 to be candidate to go abroad and we all asked for Vietnam!

How long have you stayed here and when will you decide to come back to your country?

I arrived during June and I leave at the beginning of September when my internship will be done.

What do you like the most in Vietnam? Why?

The food, we eat really well here, really healthy, there are many vegetables in all meals. Even if the French gastronomy is very recognized, I appreciate their way of cooking here. There is much less junk food and fastfood. I love Streetfood concept. we do not have it in France but it’s work well here and it’s always a good surprise!

Do you think it is difficult to find a place to live in HCMC?

Due to the social network, we post a announce on some group and we found a lot of proposal so we found what we were looking for really easily but I think it can be difficult for someone who doesn’t have any social media.

What do you think about your neigboorhood ?

Honnestly, it’s not bad at all. I remembered Thomas told me that it‘s a typical Vietnamese district with not a lot of foreigners. Added to that, it’s close to my work (like a half hour public bus). It’s really cheap (only 2 000dongs because my French student card works here).

What do you think about young mobility now? Is it easier?

With globalization, there are more movements. And then we are also helped with scholarships which encourage us to leave abroad, especially for plane tickets which represent the most large expenditure.

Do you think in general, with digital evolution, home ownership is still a social standard for young people ?

Depending on financial means. I find that it’s a pity to rent, but if you travel and if you have no ties it is the best idea to rent. But after if you are someone home-body that is not worth renting. In Vietnam it looks complicated to buy an accommodation or a house.

What do you know about GlobeTrottr?

I saw on your page Facebook that you’re organized some events and I find that super-nice! I already have planned all my weekends thus I cannot participate but I find that great!

According to you, on which points can we improve?

I find the concept brilliant, that really facilitates us the task. Without that, I would have trusted in mouth – ear and I would have gone out there but with much more difficulties.
And especially the fact that there are a lot of houses around the city, that offers us many choices depending of our needs.
Also the thing is i have a bad level of English, thus it was practical to exchange with French speakers.

Can you tell us a little story which happened during your trip ?

In Hoi An, I met a barman, I was alone. I met him because he stuck some posters to promote the broadcast of Game of Throne in VOSTFR. I was interested, so I spoke to him.
Finally I finished the day with him, we spoke during 6 hours! He told me a lot of interesting things, like the fact that certain companies were able to hijack the waste problem by charging tourists so that they collect waste! By asking them to make “a gesture for the planet”, but they make them pay for it (Vincent laugh).

Can you resume Vietnam in one word ?

Disorganized

What is the biggest culture shock for you ?

When viets speak with other viets, between them, they communicate in a very dry way. We do not have the impression that they say hello or thank you. To the tourists they are great, but between them it looks like less attention.
And also the cleanliness and the hygiene, especially which I work to the hospital, I see that there is not a lot of hygiene, later it is also a problem of budget.
To Hoi An, I was able to make some snorkelling, and we saw full of plastic bags, waste in the sea. It is a real pity. In Sapa it is similar, everything looks natural, we have the impression that has there almost no impacts of man, but next to it there is everywhere.

Do you consider yourself as a global citizen?

No, I didn’t travel enough and Vietnam is my first big travelling abroad.

What will be your next destination?

I will probably going to Reunion Island because we have the opportunity to do our last internship there.

About GlobeTrottr

GlobeTrottr provides a unique hosting service for long term and semi-long term stays in Saigon with like-minded people under the same roof without the hassle of searching for trusted landlords and real estate agents.
This blog is a piece of our journey in the city of Saigon.